Selling Property

Advice on Selling Your Home.
Valuation.
The first thing to find out is the value on your home? Many Estate Agents offer a free no obligation valuation service. Make use of this offer and get two to three valuations and take an average.

Buy or Sell First ?
It all depends on the current market and economic conditions, the choice is yours. In a sellers market you may think your home will not take long to sell, and you can start looking for your new home straight away. In a buyers market when property sales are slow, you should concentrate selling your property first.

For Sale Boards.
Serious thought should be given to having a For Sale Board on your property, more than 25% of all house sales are achieved by attracting (passing trade) a purchaser using a For Sale Board. Normally a professional Sale Board service is included in the price, but check this with your estate agent.

The Outside Look
The outside look and condition of your property is very important. When potential purchasers first see your home they should get the impression that it is a well cared for and maintained property.

Clean all the windows inside and out.
Wipe down all the paintwork.
Touch-up paintwork, where neccessary.
Sweep the path and driveway.
Mow the lawns and tidy any flower beds and borders.
Check all exterior lighting is working.

The Inside Look
Again take a careful look around the interior of your property. Check all those little jobs that needed to be done and do them. You do not want a prospective buyer noticing something and then start thinking about what else may need doing.

Touch up chipped paintwork
Check for leaking or dripping taps,
Check for loose door handles,
Make sure all bathroom door locks work.
Clean the kitchen and bathroom thoroughly and spring clean throughout.
Use Fresh Flowers to brighten up your home.
It's the little things people pick up on.

Presenting your home.
When people contact you to make an appointment, get their name, address and telephone number. Do not accept a mobile phone number. Then phone them straight back to confirm the details they have given you. When making the appointment arrange a suitable time so you have more than one person is in the house when they come to view. These are basic security measures and genuine buyers will not object.

Don't take any chances
Make sure any valuables are out of sight.

During the Spring and Summer open the windows, to allow fresh air to circulate. In the Winter make sure it is nice and warm, welcoming and homely, fresh coffee brewing, bread baking and flowers give this feeling. Make sure the rooms are clean and smell nice, pot pourri and air fresheners. Aim for clean and fresh smells in the bathroom and bedrooms. After showing them around, give them some space to chat things over, make them a cup of tea but don't rush them. A serious buyer will want to view the property more than once maybe two or three times.

Things to consider when accepting the Offer
Is the amount offered what you were looking for?
Do they have a home to sell?
Are they in a chain and how long?
Can they complete the sale quickly?
Do they have a mortgage?

Make sure you point out what is and is not included in the sale price i.e. curtains, carpets, light fittings or kitchen items.
When you are happy to proceed and have sorted out the finer points it is worth sending the purchaser a letter detailing the agreed price and any items that are included in the sale.
You must then notify your solicitors that you have agreed the sale of your property and let them have the purchasers and solicitors details. From this point on your solicitor will deal with all the legalities and paperwork.
Click here for list of solicitors

On Completion.

When the legal work has been carried out you can move forward to completion, the very big day when you move out and your purchasers move in. This should be a great day really. Moving into your new home, a new start. Unfortunately, often these days are spoilt by rubbish being left and people stripping the home of everything from fittings to light bulb's. Don't do this. And one last tip leave the property in the condition you would like your new property to be in when you arrive.